Designing a Vacation Rental Website Part 1 | Getting Started

5 minute read

You already learned about the importance of professional photos and writing property descriptions. These are some of the basic components for a vacation rental business. The next step is to house this content on your own website.

It is important to create a website that gets travelers to book your property. Here are the first steps to start a vacation rental website.

Choose a Platform

Rental owners have many options for their websites’ platform. You may already know some popular platforms. Such websites include WordPress, Squarespace, and Wix.

Yet there may be other platforms which work better for your business. This depends on your budget, tech skills, and desired website features. See which platform matches your goals:

Do you already have a website? No problem! You can connect your website and domain to access Futurestay’s rental dashboard. You’ll still get full access to Futurestay’s rental dashboard, listing channel automation, guest management, financial reports, and other features.

Choosing a Website Template

Different platforms provide designs that tailor to your property. For instance, whether you want your website to be image focused. Some templates allow you to choose where you want the search bar. Should it be in the middle of the page? After your property’s images?

How do you choose the best template for your rental business? Think of your brand as a whole. What colors, images, and font choices reflect your brand?

For instance, an urban apartment’s website would have a different feeling than a tropical villa. Make sure that your design choices have meaning.

Keep It Simple

Part of creating a website means customizing it for your business. It’s tempting to overspend or over-design. Sometimes that means adding plugins and features which you may not need.

Less is more. You don’t want to overwhelm your renters. Here are some ways to optimize your website:

Easy Navigation – One article cites that you have less than a minute to capture your viewers’ attention before they leave the page. If you have clear navigation, travelers will know where to click and visit.

Call-to-actions (CTA) – Are text, images, or buttons that link to content or pages. This persuades users to download, signup, or buy a product or service. A carefully place CTA can draw your renter into your site. Some examples include:

“Read More”

“Book Now”

“Download e-book”

“Sign up Today”

Mobile Friendly Websites

In 2016, Hosting Facts found that “52.7% of global internet users and 75.1% of U.S. internet users access the internet via mobile.”

With more individuals shopping from their phones, having a mobile friendly website is key. “40% of global internet users, or more than 1 billion people, have bought products or goods online.”

Travelers booking vacations also browse and book from their phones. Expand your market and booking possibilities by having a dual site. This will increase your reach and also prove a testament to your sites’ navigation.

Starting Your Website

Choosing your platform and features is the basis for creating a vacation rental website. When making your decisions, mobile friendly and navigable designs matter.

The next step for your website is to customize it for your business. Check out part two of our post, where we discuss the design and styling of a website.

As Futurestay's Marketing Coordinator, Kristen's writing blends her literature background with entrepreneurship and design. She is excited to follow the growth of the vacation rental industry and provide resources for rental entrepreneurs.